Evaluation of the environmental risks of the waste casting sand used in cement mortar and its effects on the mechanical properties of the mortar

Abstract

Casting is an important industrial process that used for metal processing and metal shaping. Materials produced by casting are used in several fields like jewelry, industrial benches, agricultural machines etc. Due to the large market share of the casting, the amount of waste from various production processes is quite high. Critical occupancy rate of landfill areas and the cost of disposal of hazardous wastes increase the need for industrial symbiosis. Accordingly, various studies are carried out to evaluate the wastes in concrete and mortar. This study aims to provide industrial symbiosis by recycling of waste in the construction sector and to investigate the environmental effects of waste. In this context, mortar mixtures were prepared in accordance with ASTM C109 standard by replacing the standard sand used in the cement mortar composition with 0% (reference), 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% by weight of waste casting sand (WCS). Environmental effects and leaching behaviors of the samples were investigated in three different curing environments. In addition to the environmental effects of mortar samples containing ADK their mechanical properties were also investigated. As a result it was concluded that ADK could be used 20% instead of fine aggregate in mortar production without causing a negative physical and environmental impact The compressive strength values of the samples also satisfy the conditions stated in the standards.